Somali Foreign Minister Refutes Allegations of Obstructing Diplomatic Passport Approval for Ex-PM Rooble
Mogadishu (AX) – The tapestry of diplomatic relations often weaves itself in unexpected patterns. Recently, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi found himself at the center of a swirling storm of speculation, dismissing allegations that the federal government barred former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Rooble from securing diplomatic passport clearance for a journey to South Africa.
During a candid discourse with VOA Somalia, Minister Fiqi painted a picture of respect and regard for Rooble, highlighting his pivotal role in steering Somalia through the 2022 elections under former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. Why then, one might wonder, would such respect not extend to matters of diplomatic grace? “We penned a letter to him and his entourage on the first of February,” Fiqi elucidated, “yet, the first murmurs of rejection reached me not through official channels but from the echoes of social media. Has Rooble mentioned this denial himself? If we cross that bridge, we’ll engage directly.”
Social media, a modern-day agora, has a penchant for amplifying whispers into roars. Reports proliferated across digital platforms, suggesting that the Somali Embassy in Kenya had withheld passport clearance for Rooble. These narratives stoked the embers of public curiosity and speculation. But let us not forget, as Benjamin Franklin once mused, “Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see.” How much of this storm is tempest and how much is teapot?
Despite the swirling controversy, Rooble touched down in South Africa on Thursday. A man of dual identities, he presented not a Somali passport, but his Swedish one, acquired through naturalization. Accompanying him were luminaries such as former Minister of Education Abdullahi Arab, former State Minister for Planning Gaani, and former Banadir regional secretary-general Xiireey. Their use of European passports hinted at the Somali government’s stance on diplomatic travel privileges—an intriguing footnote to Rooble’s narrative.
Rooble’s expedition is no mere diplomatic visit. Invited by the Somali diaspora residing in South Africa, he is set to engage in earnest dialogues about Somalia’s prevailing political turbulence. The timing, impeccable or coincidental, coincides with Mogadishu embroiled in a miasma of electoral disputes and constitutional quandaries, exacerbating the already entrenched rivalries among political factions.
In these exchanges, one might pause and ponder the complexities and contradictions inherent in diplomacy and politics. As Rooble navigates these multifaceted waters, questions loom large: Will his discourse alleviate tensions back in Somalia? And can past alliances weather the storms of present disagreements?
For the congregation awaiting him in South Africa and beyond, Rooble’s words and actions hold promise and portent. Perhaps they shall whisper insights into Somalia’s path forward—or perhaps the shadows of uncertainty will only grow longer.
